6 way valve for closed loop(my own oceans motion)

[CMcNeil]

i started to build a 6 way valve today(similar to oceans motion).i have the outer housing started and the inner drum started.im gonna need to find a small electric motor(hopefully like 1 rpm)to turn the inner drum.the plan is to have 3 of the 6 lines open at once and for it to turn at about 1 rpm.this would give me 3 20 second cycles per minute.here is what i have so far......
outer drum(still needs the OD turned and ID bored plus drilled and tapped)

here is the inner drum(needs to have inlet drilled and 3 outlets drilled 120 degrees apart)

it might take some time and research(for the right motor)but i think it will be worth the savings over oceans motion.that and im a firm believer in build it if you can

 

[kybreos]

sweet, definately keep updated pics on your progress. Have no clue on the motor though, sorry for no help.

 

[CMcNeil]

so i had some time today and was able to work on my 6 way valve.i got the main body all drilled and tapped for 1"npt.i made the inlet piece and it is also tapped for 1"npt.the drum is machined to the correct OD to fit my valve body.i still need to mill out some outlets for the drum but thats easy.i am going to make this thing a mag drive setup so the motor shaft is isolated from the water.here are the parts as they look for now.

this is the inlet piece(i will weld it to the main body and machine off the extra weld material)

this is the main body

this will become the inner drum(when im done with it)

this piece will isolate the drum from the motor assembly(the magnets will be shooting through this)

this is what it looks like together(the magdrive will bolt onto the white plate on top)

the only other part i need to make is the magdrive assembly.i also need to find 2 magnets about 2.5"diameter by 1/4" thick for the magdrive. i have already found a 1rpm motor at grainger for $80.

 

[CMcNeil]

...UPDATE...
i received my magnets today.i ordered 1/4" diameter by 1/10" thick magnets that have 2lbs of pull.i was able to mill 1/4" holes in the inner drum and motor attachment(8 in each for 16lbs of pull)and embedded the magnets.i have to say i am very suprised at how strong the magnets are.when i try to rotate the drum by hand you can really feel how much pull they have.i also added helicoils to the outer body for the main assembly bolts(not gonna rely on plastic threads to hold up).only thing i need to do is grove the body for an o-ring and mount the motor.here are some more pics.
this is the unit unassembled

with inner drum installed

magnet isolator in place(this will make unit watertight)

magdrive on

and all closed up(- one motor on top)

im gonna hook it up on a pump at work friday and check out how it performs.but i dont see any reason it would fail to work. properly.

 

[Kubi]

looking good!!

 

[W Ellis]

Thats awsome. Great work.

 

[CMcNeil]

thanks guys,this valve is going to be used in a custom 79 gallon tank and stand im gonna build.i plan on running a closed loop with 6 inlets(4 on back and 2 in front bottom corners).the stand will be made from extruded aluminum and black plexyglass.sps tank here i come .only problem is i have to wait till after christmas to do the tank/stand

 

[W Ellis]

I cant wait to see that in progress.

 

[Kubi]

checkinhawk, if it works, guess what.....

 

[CMcNeil]

hawkster im thinking you might want one.if so,it might be possible.

 

[Kubi]

I'll start frag'in now...LOL

 

[CMcNeil]

once this one is done,if you want it i can hook you up and make another for me.i just need to draw up plans on my autocad.

 

[Gimplar]

Wow, thats really really cool Checkinhawk. How much has this costed so far? if its not too expensive...what's your labor cost? LOL

 

[CMcNeil]

gimplar...to date i have $8 into this.the motor will cost $80 from grainger.OM sells these for $350-$400.realisticly there is only about $110 in material cost,plus labor.i wouldnt charge by the hour for this i would flat price it out.im sure i can beat the OM price.

 

[Gimplar]

Ok, but i wanna see the system and how it works before i decide to get it, because with my luck i tend to get things and find out that my system doesnt function efficiently with it. But i am definetly interested.

 

[CMcNeil]

ok,i tested the valve with a pump on friday and it worked.there was a little slippage on the drive,but i went back today and added 16 more magnets(8 to each side).i was able to run it again today and got some video of it.now understand that you will see slipping,but i am turning it by hand and faster than 1rpm.im almost sure(99%) that it wont slip once its assembled and the motor is running the drive.the pump thats running this valve in the video is a little giant TE-5 and its not on a true closed loop.

 

[Kubi]

now that is awsome!!!

 

[Gimplar]

MAN! I am super impressed! Once again, let me know what your asking price is for one of these bad boys and if theres an option to get one with 4 outputs or another number of outputs. Once again, Very nicely done!

 

[CMcNeil]

once again thanks for the comments.i am in the process of pricing out the materials.right now the material i used costs me about $60/foot(5" pvc solid bar stock),but i can use other materials to make this unit and am trying to find one thats gonna be cost effective.i would really like to sell this 6 way for no more than like $300(which would be cheaper tham OM's 4 way) but i will need to find the right material for the outer housing.keep in mind guys that im not trying to go into buisness making these things,but i will make a few if people really want them.oh and gimplar i could do a 4 way without any problems,it would actually be cheaper for materials as i would only need like 3" or 4" bar to make the housing.

 

[guntercb]

CheckinHawk,

Awesome. Keep up the great work and let us know how it does on the tank.

You will have to post picture of your custum tank and stand.

Man, I wish I had a mill and a lathe. (-:

Keep up the great work.

Cheers,
Chris